Rules

These were the rules I adhered to during my plastic free year:

ONEI cannot buy any products that have anyplastic components or that are packagedin plastic.TWOIf all plastic-free options are exhausted and the item is a necessity:PLASTIC WRAPPING:must be removed and sent back to manufacturer with a letter suggesting they diversify to non-plastic packaging.PLASTIC COMPONENT: the item must be purchased second hand.THREEI cannot accept any gifts that have plastic components or packaging.Exception:I won't compromise my health. If it is necessary to purchase medicine that is contained in plastic, then I will do so.

These are all of the products with plastic elements that I currently use and won't be able to replace over the next year. The stove, fridge and washing machine are there in spirit. The products pictured are only a representative of the total number in my household, and they are only for one person.

9 comments:

To say that I am impressed is an understatement. I am excited by this concept and your passion to drive it. I only hope that I am brave enough to take my family on this journey with you. Fabulous!!! I can not wait to see more!

This is going to be impossible for me not to break the rules. I will have to buy a new computer this year, and Mexico seems practically plastic powered. But I´m in. I´ll rethink the computer, but even if I buy just the parts there will clearly be plastic components.

Wilson, are you writing all the way from Mexico? Hola! That is very very cool, and so great that you're going to give it a go too. Please keep me updated on your progress.Yes, the computer thing is a real dilemma. If I'm realistic about the next year, there are going to be some things that might just have to be bought (hopefully not though). I guess the best thing is to aim high and expect some hiccups. Going 99% plastic free for a whole year is still pretty bloody good!

Hi, Stephanie here, I was on the May Karioi A Rocha stoat trap trip. So I've decided to do a version of plastic free July and have survived so far with I think 3 items mistakenly bought (+ milk which I already decided would be an exception along with cheese). Still deciding whether I am doing no single use plastic or only not buying plastic which is not recyclable anywhere. I never buy the big 4 but refusing plastic bags seems to be harder this month, I think it's 'cos I come across more panicked if someone tries to put stuff into a plastic bag and I'm saying 'stop, no plastic please'. Wow. I'm impressed with the replacing of stuff in the house. Or am I? Wouldn't it be better to use it rather than rubbish it? (I'm a bit of a Tupperware fan since we got pantry moth last year). Anyway, I was interested that you had a similar idea to me about making a rule that you had to write to a business if you bought the plastic. I've done that with a few things bought last month and on previous occasions, no replies yet. But I have found out that the little "green spot" symbol doesn't have a lot to do with recycling and that yes, I do believe it should be removed as it makes people think something is recyclable/recycled. Good on you, I hope this doesn't make you go crazy and take over your life if you don't want it to, I see the rubbishfreeyear people are still going strong on their concept, and it kinda took over their lives for a while.

Hi Stephanie, what great stuff you're doing; going that extra mile in directly communicating with companies about what you want, as well as making a consumer choice when you buy products. We need more people like you to really make a difference. What's the little green spot you refer to?Yes, I think it could easily take over if I let it. It's already a bit of an obsession, and it's getting hard to 'turn off' from what I now think of as plastic abuse (but is actually normal behaviour from less informed shoppers).Here's something that might appeal to you as a bit of an anti-plastic activist. A petition to get the major super market chains to charge for plastic bags: http://www.change.org/en-AU/petitions/progressive-enterprises-ltd-and-foodstuffs-ltd-new-zealand-introduce-a-10-cent-plastic-bag-levy-across-all-your-major-supermarket-brands